Design Projects – Ankahi. Unsaid.

Longlisted for the 4th Oxford Art Book Prize

Delighted to share that Dasa Mahavidya: Gesture, Form, and the Divine Feminine, designed by Rajinder Arora/Ishtihaar and published by Ojas Art, has been Longlisted for the 4th Oxford Bookstore Art Book Prize among the other fifteen.

Dasa Mahavidya reflects on the visual, philosophical and symbolic dimensions of the Ten Wisdom Goddesses through the lens of contemporary artistic practice. The Dasa Mahavidyas, or Ten Wisdom Goddesses, are prominent figures in Hinduism, especially within Tantric traditions, representing diverse aspects of the Divine Feminine and encompassing ultimate wisdom. They are: Kali, Tara, Tripura Sundari (or Shodashi), Bhuvaneshvari, Bhairavi, Chhinnamasta, Dhumavati, Bagalamukhi, Matangi, and Kamala. These goddesses are believed to be manifestations of Goddess Parvati and are invoked for spiritual growth, empowerment, and the realization of the Supreme through practices like meditation, mantra chanting, and devotional acts.

The Oxford Bookstore Art Book Prize is India’s only award dedicated to recognising excellence across art publications and their contribution to the larger discourse on art and culture. At Ishtihaar we are honoured to see our work recognised among this year’s selected titles.

Best wishes to Anubhav Nath and Ojas Art, who have another art book “Ram Singh Urveti: Another Master”in the Longlist. The final winners will be announced later this year.

Interestingly while the devout were / are prepring for the Navadurga or Navratri celebrations (the nine virgin manifestations and forms of Durga) worshipped during Durga Puja I was desinging a book on the concept of Dasa Mahavidya – the ‘ten wisdoms’ – seen, yet again, as ten divine mothers worshipped in the Tantric tradition. Extensively illustrated, this book carries some of the finest artworks and imageries, of ten fierce and benevolent deities, painted over years by renowned artist Santosh Kumar Das and late Krishnanand Jha. Titled ‘Gesture, Form, and the Divine Feminine’, this art-study of Mithila style, dives deep into the philosphy and stories of cosmic feminine force. The editor of the volume succinctly sums it with, “…the goddess Shakti—is both— the center and the axis of the world … she moves through space with pointed grace, gestures, and glances – guiding the viewer’s eye in unfolding sequences, like a ritual procession … she holds her ground radiating a steady power akin to the meditative pull of a yantra.” The book, Dasa Mahavidya, has been designed and produced by Ishtihaar for Ojas Art. <September 2025>

Category: Design Projects

Dasa Mahavidya: the Divine Feminine

Dasa Mahavidya